Relationships are complicated. Surveys show that a whopping 42% of marriages end in divorce—a testament to just how tricky they can be.
But it doesn’t have to be so hard. The ingredients to healthy relationships are similar, regardless of whether you’re navigating them with a partner, friend, or even your children.
Below are fourteen quotes to help you master relationships.
#1: The quality of a relationship reflects the time invested in it.
Quote: Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get. – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
#2: Strong relationships are built on a culture of appreciation.
Quote: It costs $0.00 to tell someone how much they mean to you and put a smile on their face. – Unknown
#3: Love starts with listening.
Quote: Sometimes people just want to be heard. No fixing it. No solutions. No, “Here’s what I’d do…” There is a whole language of love that begins with ears that listen and ends with a smile that says, “I’m here.” – Lauren Fortenberry
#4: Show people you care by being present.
Quote: Hurry is the enemy of love. Love means giving someone your full attention. – Steve Biddulph
#5: There are hundreds of little ways to show people you care.
Quote: People don’t always say, “I love you.” Sometimes it sounds like: Did you eat? Call me when you get home. Be safe. I made you this. – Unknown
#6: Pay attention to the feelings behind the words.
Quote: There’s always a little truth behind every “Just kidding,” a little knowledge behind every “I don’t know,” a little emotion behind every “I don’t care,” and a little pain behind every “It’s okay.” – Unknown
#7: Love people without conditions—no strings attached.
Quote: Be the safe space for your people. Let them bring bad news, the hard truth, and the heavy grief. Love them just as they are. – Lauren Fortenberry
#8: Every unspoken expectation is a recipe for disappointment in relationships.
Quote: Expectations are resentments waiting to happen. – Brene Brown
#9: Don’t try to change people. To love someone is to embrace them entirely, imperfections and all.
Quote: The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves and not twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. – Thomas Merton
#10: Don’t meet harsh words with harsh words. Squash them with empathy and kindness.
Quote: Where there is anger, there is always pain underneath. – Eckhart Tolle
#11: A few kind words and a bit of undivided attention go a long way when someone is struggling.
Quote: It’s so important to love someone a little extra on their bad days. – Unknown
#12: Blind rage gets you nowhere in a relationship. Use words to explain the feelings behind your anger.
Quote: Explain your anger instead of expressing it, and you will open the door to solutions instead of arguments. – Inspired by Ruth Ghatourey
#13: There’s power in an apology. Swallowing your pride and admitting fault is a swift way to end any argument.
Quote: Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong and the other person is right. It means you value your relationship more than your ego. – Mark Matthews
#14: When in doubt, always put people first.
Quote: When you find yourself in situations of impossible demands, choose relationships first. – Sarah Boyd
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